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(No Model.)

V G. P. JOHNSON.

BAIL JOINT.

o. 244,460. Patented July 19,1881.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES P. JOHNSON, 0F INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE FOURTH TO HEZEKIAH N. GOE, OF SAME PLACE.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 244,460, dated July 19, 1881.

u Application filed May 13, 1881. (No model.)

Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to close the spaces between the ends of rails caused by their contraction in cold weather.

It consists in a peculiarly-shaped spike, applied as hereinafter described.

Figure l is a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a rail-joint formed with the usual splice-bars, and showing my spike in position. Fig. 3 is a side elevation.

My spike is formed with two parallel sides, and is of sufficient thickness to fill the space between the ends of the rails. The upper or head portion, a, is of the same outline as the head of the rails, and is provided with shoulders b b, which rest upon the edges of the splice-bars, as shown. The shank of the spike nicely fills the space between the splice-bars, so that the head may be held exactly in line with the head of the rails. The shank is extended below the rails and pointed so that it may be driven into the tie beneath, and thus between ties the lower end of the spike may be bent to one side for the same purpose.

By the use of this device the ends of the rails are prevented from battering and the disagreeable jarringin cars passing over a joint 3 5 prevented. At the approach of hot weather the spike may be withdrawn and Space left for expansion, as before.

I am aware that short sections of rail have heretofore been used for the purpose of filling 40 the spaces between ends of rails caused by contraction, as shown in patents granted to Thomas Donahy, October 31,1871,No.120,421, and to R. O. Keefe, May 2, 1876, No. 176,866, and I do not claim anything therein shown; 45 but I claim as my invention The above described spike, adapted to be driven into a cross-tie, combined with railroadrails, in the manner and for the purpose Set so forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 7th day of May, 1881.

CHARLES P. JOHNSQN.

Witnesses:

SAML. T. SHELLEY, HARRISON P. HOOD. 

